The market keeps telling the same story: OTR capacity is tight, rates are elevated, and your customers are looking for alternatives. Intermodal is that alternative — and this week, the numbers make it easier than ever to have that conversation.
Rates based on current market conditions. Contact us to confirm current availability and exact pricing for your customer’s specific pickup/delivery.
Despite a modest July lull in spot rates, the broader picture is clear: the trucking market remains significantly undersupplied and your customers are feeling it. OTR rates are still running roughly 55% above year-ago levels, and the traditional July softening is expected to be short-lived as pre-peak freight volumes build heading into August and Q4.
Midwest LTL embargoes are adding pressure for shippers with freight in affected corridors — creating openings for intermodal as a credible alternative for qualifying lanes. If any of your customers are complaining about LTL service failures in the Midwest, that’s your opening.
West Coast → Southeast (Los Angeles → Atlanta, Charlotte, Jacksonville): LA outbound OTR capacity is tight and rates are running significantly above national averages on Southeast-bound lanes. Intermodal saving 30–35% vs. current OTR. Union Pacific out of LA to CSX interchange into Atlanta gives you reliable east-bound service. This is the conversation to have with any customer originating freight in Los Angeles and shipping into the Southeast. All-in at $4,750 — call us.
East Coast → West Coast (any EC origin → LA, Oakland, Portland, Seattle): The longest haul, the strongest intermodal economics. Saving 35–45% vs. OTR on qualifying lanes. Ask about East Coast Repositioning Program availability on 40’ and 45’ container lanes into Portland and Seattle — exceptional savings for the right freight.
Midwest → Northeast (Chicago, Detroit, Columbus → Northeast): With LTL embargoes tightening Midwest capacity, intermodal is actively picking up freight that can’t move LTL. Saving 18–22% vs. OTR. Capacity available — call us if your customer has freight stranded by LTL service issues.
US → Canada (any US origin → Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary): Tariff front-loading is keeping cross-border volumes elevated. Direct CN and CP Rail contracts mean we can quote and move cross-border intermodal end to end. One rate, one contact, customs coordination handled.
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The 3PL Partner Briefing is published every Monday by LaserNet Jax — a direct Intermodal Marketing Company based in Jacksonville, FL. We hold railroad contracts with CSX, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, CN Rail, and CP Rail, plus access to the full North American rail network. Rates shown are representative — contact us for a confirmed quote on your specific lane. All-in costs to partners do not include LaserNet Jax margin, which partners set independently based on their customer relationship.